Day signaling apparatus.



' No. 650,830. Hunted unisson.

B. A. f lsxs. DAY SIGNALIHG. APPARATUS.

(Application Sled In. 16, 1898.' l y (No Model.; a shmshm l.

-Patented .lune 5V,- |900.

No.' 650,830.' y

B. A. Fiske. DAY SIGNLINS PPRTUS.

(Applicltionhd Ik'. 16, 1898.1

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ulu Model.)

/lea

UNITED STATES PA'IEN'T Ormes.

BBADLEY A. FISKE, OF TllE UNITED STATES NAVY, ASSIGNOR TO vTHE WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, O F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS..

DAY sieNALING APPARATUS.

sPEGFIcaTIoN forming part of Letters Patent Noesoeo, dated Juno 5, 1900. Apuntate neg man 1e, 189s. serai No. 675,024. on model.)

To n?? 11-7: um. it mmf/concern:

lie it known that I, BRADLEY A. Fisica, of

the Lnited States Navy, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Day Signaling Apparatus, of which thc following is a specification.

My invention relates to a day signaling apparatus. f

The invention is particularly adapted for ro use on ships for the reason that the signals will be observable from all points of the horizon and will be reznlablc-from any point on the horizon irrcspect ive ofilhc shi ps position. My improved signals are, however, adapted r5\for electivc use as land-signals or for signaling between the shore and ships. 'Preferably Iemploya plurality of the signals arranged in a vertical l-ine an d with a. su iiicient clearancespace between thom te prevent the possibility zo of confusion in the reading, and -when so arranged thc signals will be capable of manipulation in accordance with a preconcerted code, whereby intelligible messages may bc rapidly and effectively transmitted.

`Broadly stated, my improved signaling apparatus consists of two or more semaphores arranged at an angle to each other and operated simultaneously or with such substantial unison as to prevent confusion. Hence when in operation at least one of said semaphores will be seen, irrespective of the position which may beoecupied by the observer relatively to the same. When used particularly as ship-signals, it is desirable that a plurality of these sets or pairs of semaphores should be employed, carried in the case of a inan-offwar on the military mast, and the semaphores of Ieach set being operated 'simultaneousl y or in substantial unison in accordance with the terms of a preconcerted code. XVhen thus used, experience has demonstrated that the semaphores should be as light as possible, that they should be capable of rapid movement without shock orjar, that they should offer as little resistance as possible to wind-pressure, and th/at they should be of such a form as to be seen from great distances. furthermore desirable, especiallv iarsfiip-signals, owing to the limited 5o height of the available supports, and hence to f" reduce thc number of signalingelements as naling position.

much as possible, that the signaling devices should each be capable of more than one sig- In order to-realize these practical requirements, I prefer to make the semaphores with a' light wooden or metal frame, essentially rectangular in fornr, and to extend between the said frame` a backing which will otler but little wind lresistance. Such backing may consist of cloth, `thin wood, or sheet metal suitably perforated; but I prefer to employ for the purpose ordinary caning, such as is used for the seats and backs ofchairs. Such material is very light andfrom a distance will give to the eye the' im- 65 pression f `a solid opaque body. By thus making the semaphore-arms sothat they will bevery lightand will oder but littlewind resistance, and, further; by pivoting them at their centers so that they lwill be practically cou-nterbalanced they may be operated rap'- idly and with very little force, and they may be returned to any normal position desired by means of a light spring, whereby in the operation of the signals the semaphores will be moved rapidly toward or from their sig-v naling position or positions without shock or vibration. Y' In order that my invention may be better understood,'attention is directed to the ae- 8o companyingdrawings, forming part of this specification, and in which-- i" v o Figurel' represents a perspective view of a battle-ship vthe .military mast of which is equipped with signals in accordance with my presentinventon; Fig. 2,-aview inelevation, f partly in section, of the preferred form of signaling apparatus; Fig.v 3, a planl view ofy the same, partly in section; Fig.4, a side elef vation of a suitable supporting-m ast equipped 9o with a modified construction of semaphore; Fig. 5, a horizontal section of the same; Fig. 6, an 'enlarged sectional view of the clamping ring, operating segment,l and bearing thereof illustrated in Fig. 3; and Fig. '7, a 95 section on line 7 7of Fig. 6.

In all ofthe above -views corresponding parts are represented by the same numerals p* of reference.

In Fig. 1 the military mast of a battle-ship zoo is illustrated as being provided with four signaling elements or semaphore sets, the

xo moving the semaphores from.l the concealed' the 'spring 12 passes.

tary movemen If desired, the slot 13 in the cap' semapliores of the rstand third sets, count# ing from the top, being represented in a horizontal position, and the semaphores of the second and fourth sets being shown in an inclined or oblique'positon. When the semaphore-arms extend parallel to and are con# cealed by the mast, they are' ont of the signaling. position. By properly manipulating the semaphores of the several sets and by or hidden position to thefirst r'second sig-l naling position various' combinations. may be madeto accord with a preconcerted code; and intelligible messages mitted'from one vessel to another or from one station to another. Phe semaphores are op 4erated `in any suitable'way, preferably from the deck of the -vesselor from the fightingtop of the mast or from theground 'in' the case of land-signals.

' Having reference-toiFi-gs.' 2,' 3, 6, and 7, -the construction ofthe preferred formof semaphore will beunderstood. 1 represents a suitable support, which may be the n xastfof a vessel o r-a suitable stan. n iounted at an appropriate locality on the' land. 2 is a .split collar, theparts being secured together by bolts so that .the collar will be irn'ily ,clamped' t o 'the' support-1.. Preferably cast with one part of the collar zare two bosses' 4.4, which in this instance are arranged ninety t. 5 represents a shaft or' a spin -l degrees apa dle rigidly secured to each ,of .said bosses. Mounted upon .this shaft or spindle is asleeve 6, having a at its rear end, which beari 'a set-screw' or; pin

cap 8, secured ih placeby vhich cap consti- 5 swithin -the'sleeve 6. The inner end of said,

srng engages an opening'in .said sleeve; and t -e forward end-ofs'aid spring passs through the collar 10, as shown.particularly in Fig, '6. The capS is provided with a curved s'lotl therein; through which the f ront portion, of Thespring 12 will bfpla'ced under tension-byrotating the colla. 10 on the shaftoor spindle and'by then clampn'g'the said collar 'in p cap 8 is so' adjustedas'jo allow for partialrot of fthe sleeve (5 on'said shaft or spindle. `8 may'cons movement of treme positions,

titute a limiting-stop for arresting the sleeve G in either of its exalthongh in practice-I` prefer mayin'this waybetranl caring for -the'shaft' or spindle' ns Works against. .the boss 4. The-sleeve 6'is provided `with ya escaso *face15, in which 'me't'l'i is a sernap relati'velyto the shaft or spindle' as to be Y however, this portionk give the impression to aphore-arms of each set may -.The --rst signal-ing position isfthat' in which lace, after which thein-hringing the smaphorarms to their hor' osxtion -to .engage` them. together, s o

sontsl. p

llbe desirable to inake the slot 13 so thatit wi will be necessary to return energy.

long asnot to engage with the front portion' of the spring 12 when the semaphore-amis are moved to that position. 6 is a quadrant 14, having a grooved outer works a'small e'hainl'; I illustrates.' light .wire rope.17,' connected t0 this chainand b y means of which the soma. phore-arms will be moved from their 'concealed or hidden position to a horizontal or toaninclind position, as will be understood. ,The chains', ropes,'or' other operating ele-- ments ofthe two semaphore-arms of each pair may be connected together, as shown in dot; `ted lines, v or they maybe connected to the.

"same controlling device, or they mayfbe acA .tuated by separate controlling devices either simultaneously orin'suchsubstantial unison as to` avoidf confusion. Carried .on the seghere-arm 1,8, so arranged 85 practically apunten-balanced', as illnstrated.- j- This's'emaphorearm prefer-ah] y comprises an outer fraise -10,.made lof llight ,wood or sheet metaland an interiorportiou o'r-backing 20, 'supported hy-said frame and composed, preferabiy; of'ordinary caning, such as is use'd for the seats and backs of chai rs.' If desired,

20 may'be coinpsedof wood, or sheet metal having perfo- 95 rations thereimso as tp offer as little resistance to the wind as possible. I consider caning preferable,since it is very li ght',possessesbntlittle windresistance,and from a slioi'td istance will clothgngm 21, which coincides With-a',l

he adjacent arnrof. the

of which the two seinbe broughtto a 'horizontal position in the sam'e planef'n concealed or hidden position. of. twoserna phore-arms suchas I have described will-be ,when the arms are parallel to 4the'nast 1.

si-inilar portion' :in t same set and by reason I 1o the arms will occupythefposition shown' in dotted lines, Fig. 2-said arms extending ob liquely with regard tothe support 1', as shown in the second and fourth sets in .the perspecf4 :tive view. The second ignaling positiomis' the arms o ccup'y'a horizo1 1talv as shown in full lines, Fig. 2,-nd correspond to the representationofihe first and third'scis in theperspective view. Vhenthe semaphore -arms are in'ihe horizontal position, I prefer to allow the cnt away portion 21 of each. to engage, together; but 'this cnga-geinent owing te the extreme lightness of the armsand to the factthat they are nearly counterbalanced will resultwithout s hock or jar. ly counterbalancing' the' semaphore-- arms, as explained, a very light spring' 1 2 thorn to their conf cealcd .or hidden position', sothat thc'arin's maybe rapidly moved in'to one position' or the expenditure' of but slight position,

the other with Practice has demonstrated tirata signaling apparatus constructed-as explained f uliils all the eye vof asolid opaque roo body. 'Each semaphore-arm is pi'ovid'ed with 'a cutaway porti-on ro port 1 is provided with a collar 22 for each signaling element. Said collar carries two bosses 23 23, arranged, preferably, vninety degrees apart. In each of saidbosses is mounted a rotatable shaft 24, havingan outer x 5 bearing in a block 25, the said blocks being carried in a suitable supporting-frame 26.

Each shaft 24 carries a semaphore-arm 27, keyed to the shaft near its outer end. 2S 2S are ruiter-quadrants carried by the shafts 24 or the semaphore-arms 27 and meshing together, whereby the semaphore-arms of each set will move simultaneously. means-such, for example, as a quadrant corresponding to the quadrant 11i-maybe secured to one or both of the shafts 24 for operating the semaphore-arms 27.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. A day signaling apparatus, comprising in combination,'a mast or support, a pair of semaphore-arms pivoted to said su pport at angles of approximately ninety degrees, and connections between said arms for inovingthem,

-siin'ultaneously in the same direction, subsiantially as set forth.

2. A signaling element comprising a pair of semaphore-arms pivoted at their centers and working in planes perpendicular to each other, and movable simultaneously or in substantial unison in the same direction, as and for the purposes set forth.

3. A signaling element comprising a pair of semaphore-arms pivoted at their centers and working in planes perpendicular' to .each other, and movable simultaneously or in substantial unison in the same direction, said arms having eut-away portions which interlock whe the arms are moved to a horiron- 5o tal position, substantially as set forth.

" at one end to said collar and fatthe other end Any suitable 4. A signaling element eoniprisings pair of semaphore-arms pivoted st their centers and working in planes erpendiculsr to each other and movable simu taneously or in sul tial unison in the same direction, andi 's spring 55 surrounding the pivot of and ooperatinfnwith each arm for normally movingthe same one direction, substantially asset forth. 5. Animproved signaling element oo m rising a stationary shaft, a sleeve on said aft, 6o a collar carried by said shaft,a spring mountd within said sleeve connected at one end' to aid collar and at the other end to said sleeve,

and a semaphore-arm carried by said sleeve,

substantially as set forth.

6. An improved signaling element com rising a stationary shaft, a sleeve on said t, a collar adjnstably mounted on saidehsft, a spring mounted within said sleeve connected 7o to said sleeve, and a semaphore-arm carried by said sleeve, substantially as set Iforth.

7. A'n improved signalingelementcom rising a stationary shaft,.a sleeve mount on said shaft, a cap at the forward end of said y75 sleeve and bearing on said shaft, a collar se-l lcured to said shaft, a spring mounted within said sleeve, one end of which is conneetedto said collarv passing through said cap, theether end being connected-to said sleeve,a'nd a semaphore-arm carried by said sleeve, substan# tially as set forth.

8. An improved'signaling elementcomprisl ing astationaryshaft, asleevee-monntedv-on said shaft, a cap for the forward end of said sleeve and bearing on said shaft, means for connecting 'saidpap and said sleeve, a collar rigidly connec ed to said shaft, a spring mounted with: said sleeve and connected at one end to said collar and at the other endto 9o the sleeve, the said spring passing through a slot in said cap, and a semaphore-arm .con-l necied to said sleeve, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this l 28th day of January, 1898.

BRADLEY EISKE.

Witnesses:

ALFRED ALF, GEo.-G. SnIBELs. 

